Refrigerating mechanism



Jan. 31, 1939. U L

' REFRIGERATING MECHANISM,

Filed Feb. 21, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 11v VENTOR 1 T. m W

Jan. 31, 1939. G. MUFFLY REFRIGERATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 21, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 .lL!lllllllllli'illlllllllll.

9m Y f v M n B Jan.3l, 1939. v 1G. MUFFL Y, 7

REFRIGERATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 21, 1935 ,4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Glen)? Mex/fly,

A TIORNE m,

Patented 31, 1939 UNITED, "STATES sums PATENT OFFICE mnlonas'rmo uncnsmsu Glenn Muiily Springfield, 01110 "Application Febl'llll'! 2.1, 1935, Serial No. am

is Claima- This invention relates to refrigerating mechanism and is particularly applicable to those of the domestic type, the principal object being the provision of means for automatically disposing s of moisture which condenses upon the evaporator or other refrigerated parts of said system.

Objects of the invention include the provision of means for automatically melting the moisture which condenses upon the evaporator or other l refrigerated parts of a mechanical refrigerating system and automatically disposing of this mo'isture; the provision of a refrigerating system in which the evaporator or other refrigerated parts within the refrigerator cabinet exposed to con- 15 tact of the air in the cabinet are raised in temperature above the melting point of ice during inoperative periods of the system whereby any moisturethat has condensed and frozen thereon will be melted, together with means for collecting 20 the frozen moisture thus,melted and-automatically discharging the same in evaporated form into the air exterior to the cabinet; the provision of means for; cyclically melting frost formed upon the evaporator or other refrigerated parts of a 26 refrigerating system, discharging themelting frost from the'refrigerated-space of the system, and causing the meltedfrost to be evaporated and discharged into the air'; the provision of a novel form of means for collecting and discharg- 30 ing melted frost from the'refrigerated space of a refrigerator cabinet; the provision, of a novel form of means for collecting melted frost within the refrigerated space of a refrigerator cabinet and a discharging it therefrom to a higher level; and

the provision of a novel form of meansfor evapcrating moisture in ajmeehanicall'yrefrigerated system.

Other objects of the invention include the provision of a novel form of pumping means for a 40 refrigerating system. auxiliary tor the norms-1' pumping or compressing means provided therein; the provision of a'refrigerating system having an auxiliary pumping means associated therewith and caused to operate as a result of the v 45 cyclic operation of the refrigerating system; the

provision of a refrigerating system having an auxiliary pumping means associated therewith and operative as a result of the variations in temperature occurring in a chamber to be refrigerated 50 by the refrigerating mechanism; a d the provision of .a refrigerating system having an auxiliary pumping means mechanism associated therewith and actuated as a result ofthe variations in pressure occurring within said system.

as Other objects of the invention nc uded;

such space without affecting the freezing or frozen 5 condition of liquids to be frozen or intentionally frozen-liquids respectively within said space; the provision of a refrigerating mechanism including acabinet having a refrigerated chamber, a. pair of evaporators in the chamber one of which isadapted for the freezing of liquids and the other of which is adapted for chilling the air within the cabinet, the first mentioned evaporator being insulated against the transfer of heat therefrom to the air within the cabinet, and the second mentioned evaporator having a low thermal capacity; and the provision of a mechanical refrigerator in which the necessity of a relatively deep drip pan for defrosting purposes is eliminated.

Still further objects of the invention include the provision of a novel means for evaporating moisture;the provision of a novel means for evaporating moisture resultingfrom frost condensing upon the evaporator or other refrigerated surface of a mechanical refrigerating system; the provision of a refrigerant condenser of novel construction: .the provision of a refrigerant condenser having novel means associated therewith for the evaporation of moisture; the provision of a novel form of means for insulating the walls of a mechanical refrigerator cabinet from the radiant heat of the refrigerant condenser; and the provision of means for enhancing the efficiency of a refrigerant condenser.

Furthenobiects of the invention include the provision of a novel method of forming a refrigerant condenser or a like object; the provision of a novel method of automatically disposing of melted frost in a refrigerating mechanism; the provision of a novel method of insulating the 40 walls of a mechanically refrigerated cabinet against the effects of radiant heat from the con- 1 denser of the cooperating" refrigerating system;

vention the same consists of certain novel features of construction, combinations of parts, and step or steps of operation to be hereinafter described with reference to theaccompanying drawings,

andthen claimed, having the above and other objects in view. I y In the accompanying drawings which illustrate suitable embodiments of the present invention,

view taken in the same plane as the view in Fig. 7

1 and illustrating in greater detail the drip drain means and the manner in which it cooperates with the drip evaporator. 4

Fig. 4 is a more or less diagrammatic, fragmentary, partially broken, partially sectioned view disclosing a pumping mechanism which may be employed for dischargingmelted frost from thecabinet shown in Fig. 1.

Fig.'5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing a modifled form of construction. I

, Fig. 6 is a fragmentary,.vertical, sectional view taken through a refrigerator cabinet and disclosing amorlified form of drip evaporator employing heat of .the refrigerant liquid lineinstead of the heat of the condenser for effecting the evaporation.

Fig. '1 is a view similar to Figs. 4 and 5 but disclosing a modified form of pump structure in which the energy for the operation of .the pump is obtained from variations ofhigh side pressureofthe'refrigerating system. I m

Fig. 8 is a broken, fragmentary, vertical sectional view of a refrigerant condenser which is formed from sheet metal so as to provide a drip evaporator means in conjunction therewith.

Fig. 91s a fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on the line 9-9 -of Fig. Band illustrating the relationship between the condenser and the cooperating refrigerator cabinet.

Fig. 10 is a reduced, broken, horizontal sec- I tional view of the condenser shown in Figs. 8

and 9, taken on the line Ill-l of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11' is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view illustrating a step in the operation of forming the condenser shown in Figs. 8, 9 and-10, together with a portion of the tools or diese-mployed in the step.

Fig. 12 is a,.view' similar to Fig. 11 but illustrating a subsequent step of operation in the formation of the condenser.

i Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line lI-IS of Fig. 12. Fig. lf is a fragmentary face elevationalview of a modified form of condenser and drip evaporator ofthe general type illustrated in Figs. 8,

9 and 10.

'Fig. 15 is 'a vertical sectional view taken, on

the line lll of Fig. 14. I ,Fig. 16 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on the line l6-ll8 of Fig. 15.

Fig; 1'1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional-view- It is generally understood in the domestic mechanical refrigeration art that the moisture carried by the .air in the refrigerator cabinet,

in this respect.

a145,?" and in "which like numerals referto like parts throughout the several different views,

coming in contact with the evaporator or other refrigerated parts of the refrigerating system, becomes condensed upon such evaporator or parts and forms. frost thereon, and that over a period of time, depending upon conditions, the layer of frost may assume such proportions as not only to interfere with the proper refrigeration of the cabinet itself, but in many instances may interfere with the proper removalparticularly of ice trays and the like from within the cabinet. For

this reason it is necessary, or at least desirable,

to shut down the refrigerating system, at certain intervals, usually of one to two weeks duration, 'and allow the interior ofthe cabinet to warmup to a sufficient extent to permit the frost to melt free from the parts upon which it has collected, Modern refrigerators are usually provided with a so-called drip pan located under the evaporator for the purpose of catch:

special connections must be made to connect the "drain pipe with the point of deposit, and

v additionally the drain pipe may become clogged and result in a flooding of the cabinet. If no such drain pipe is employed then it is necessary for the housewife to remove the drip pan and empty the contents thereof and in order to eliminate any danger of the volume of melted frost exceeding the capacity of the drip pan during a defrosting period, the drip pan is necessarily madepfsuch dimensions as to take up amaterial amount of valuable space in the cabinet.

I am aware that means for'automatically dehave heretofore been suggested, such previously suggested means usually employing a time controlled or equivalent mechanism for defrosting rator of relatively low thermal capacity so that during inoperative periods of the refrigerating mechanism the entire evaporator structure may ,rise in temperature to above the melting pointof ice and thus cause any frost which has collected thereon to melt and drain therefrom. By an evaporator of low thermal capacity .is particularly meant anyQeVaporatOr not having a I material amount of holdeoyer heat absorbing capacity such as occurs in evaporators of the brine tank type. A number of the sheet metal or coiled frosting a refrigerator cabinet at stated intervals tube types now found on the market maysuflice Means are provided for collecting the frost which is thus melted and drips from the evaponism during each inoperative period of each cycle of operation of the refrigerating mechanism, and then disposingof this moisture by part of the refrigerator structure. By the employment of a refrigerating mechanism of the type employed in the present invention as above described it will be apparent that the heat transrator and otherv refrigerated parts of the mechameans which are preferably formed as a unitary I fer efliciency of the evaporator will be continujouslymaintained and automatically re-conditioned during each cycle of operation, and addi tionally thehousewife will be entirely relieved of the-necessity -of either defrosting the cabinet ordisposing 'of the frost which-meltsduring a de "frosting peric.i.

In order to dispose of the melted frost collected during each-defrosting period in accordance with the present invention the melted frost iacaused to be evaporated and discharged intothe air surrounding the cabinet where, as a general rule,

its effect will be found advantageous in increas- .ing the humidity of the room in which-the cabinet is positioned, and which'humidity ingmodern homes is usually found to be less than that desired. Preferably, in accordance with afurtherphase of the present invention, the 'melted frost thus obtained is employed as. an aid. in insulating the walls of the cabinet from the. heat which normally emanates from the condenser and raises the [temperature of the walls of the cabinet. either by direct, radiation or by convec;

tion. At the-same time the heat of the condenser may be employed to hasten the evaporation of the melted frost and the 'melted 'frost itself serves to lower the temperature of the condenser and thus increase its efficiency. One method of effecting this last result is to interpose a sheet or generally planular' member of moisture absorbing material between the condenser and the adjacent wall of the refrigerator cabinet, and to discharge the melted frost onto such member.

The member in being positioned be ween the condenser andthe adjacent wall of the refrigerator cabinet serves to insulate the condenser from the cabinet, and by being positioned for the circulation of air around it, gives up its moisture content to the surrounding air and thus aids to 0 cool the air to better absorb the heat from the On the other hand, the condenser,

condenser, may be positioned for the usual circulation of air about it and beso formed'as to receive the melted frost and retain it'for a. sufficient length of time exposed to the air as to effect its evaporatiom In this caselthe melted frost being in direct heat transferring relation with respect to the condenser is not only heated directly by the condenser to increase its rate -'of evaporation, but in being in suchr'el'ation to the condenser and in evaporating from 'the surface thereof acts to- I increase the efllciency of the condenser.

Although in the broader-aspects of the inven- .tion the melted frost'may be drained by gravity pa tively short cycle of time, so that no great amount of frost is collected between defrosting periods. "Condensate or water from meltage of frost and ice on the evaporator I2 drips into the pan ll positioned immediately below the evaporator l2 and, is disposed of as hereinafter described. i

A sharp freezer II and isfitted with an insulated door I! and its liner I6 is surrounded by the insulated wall I'I. Being-thermally insulated from ,the air in the cabinet I I, no -condensation occurs on the outside of the freezer l4, hence it may be located below I. the pan l3, as shown, or in any other desired location. J

The motor compressor unit 2l,.which may be positioned in' any suitable location, is shown .in.

the bottom of the cabinet below the lower insulated wall thereof and delivers compressed refrigerant vapor through the tube "22 to the top of condenser 23, preferably mounted on the back for the refrigerant vapor, which condenses'a'nd.

of cabinet II as shown. The condenser 23, as shown, is formed of two sheets of metal between which are formedpassages 24, connected by a return loop passage 25 to provide a'sinuous'path Since the expansion device will be refrigerated to some degree by the evaporation of refrigerant as soon as the pressure on the refrigerant flowing through it is reduced, an insulatin cover 28 is shown'around the expansion devic 21 and joining the insulated wall of the sharp from the interior of'th'e refrigerator cabinet and delivered to theevaporating means,"it may be 'des"irable under certain-conditions to deliver the melted Lfrost to a point fat'an elevation'greater than its point of collection; and insuch ,event the present invention provides simple and eflecfreezer I4. R

The partly evaporated refrigerant leaves the sharp freezer'il through thetube 29 and enters u is located beneaththe pan the upper evaporator I2, which has surfaces ex- -posed.to the cabinet air for the purpose of cooling same. From the evaporator l2 the refrigerant, which is now quitethoroughly. evaporated, passes through the tube 30 back to the suction side of the compressor of the unit 2|, where it is again compressed and re -delivered through the tube. 22, thus completing its circuit.

,Theelectric motor of unit 2i is supplied with current from conductors and 34 of a' power line. the motor winding; The conductor II is connected to the thermostatic switch 32, from which t'ive means for elevating/the melted frost, As

hereinafter described. such means may be caused to operate as a result of the cycli'coperationof the refrigerating mechanism and thus provide an automatic and self-contained fmeans amply sufficient, for the purpose required. l

1 Referring to the drawingsand'particularl'y to Fig. .l, the cabinet I I, which may be of any suitable or desirable construction,' is shown as being 'cooled by an eyaporator l2, which mayal'so be of any conventional or desirable type.

v The-evaporator lg2 and'the control means" 32. for the refrigerating system are preferably of the types that allow complete defrosting of the excontrol means, which may be of any suitable or jconventional type, is sh conductor-II. leads back to the other terminal of the motor in unit 21. r

The thermostatic switch 32 or other suitable cabinet 1H adjacent the evaporator l2 and is arranged'or adjusted to effect such operation of the 1' system that the air cooling-surfaces of the evaporator i2 and the tubes connected therewith will The conductor 34 is connected directly to L n positioned within the constantly or at'frequent intervals shed the mois ture condensed thereupon-from the air within the cabinet.

posed, surfaces of the evaporator I2 'on a com-.-

The water thus shed drips into the pan. II, from which it drains out through the tube Ill into the trap II and thence out through the tube 42 which throughthe rear wall of the cabinet.-

cent rear wall of the cabinet II.

and which walls are secured by means of rivets 41 to brackets 48 and the sheets of fabric 49 from which the evaporator is preferably formed. Spacers 50 (Fig. 3) are arranged to separate the fabric sheets 49 at their top edges so that water is allowed to run down between the two sheets 49 as well as to be absorbed by these sheets.

The sheets 49-are loosely stitched'or riveted together at spaced intervals over their entire area, as indicated at St, and are capable of absorbing a considerable volume of water.

Each of the sheets 49 is exposed on one side to air circulating between the sheets 49 and the condenser 23 or between the sheets. and the adja- Heat from condenser 23 warms the sheets 49 and causes metal binding 52 (Fig. 2) and attached to the lower brackets 48, which are seen in Figs. 1 and 2 v The sheets 49 also serve as insulation, blanketing the rear wall of cabinet I I- from direct radiation of heat from the condenser 23. Part of the heat radiated by the condenser is absorbed in evaporating condensate from the sheets 49,, thus water to evaporate therefrom more rapidly than further reducing the heat leakage into the rearwall of cabinet I l and conserving the refrigeratin effect of the evaporator l 2. I

In Fig. 1 the condenser 2.3 is shown as extending nearly to thetop of the cabinet, while the level is shown at 62-.

condensate evaporator 45 is limited in height to a level at which water may be drained from the trap 4|. I provide a greater area of fabric sheets 49 than provided for in Fig. 1, and in such case the arran'ger'nents shown in Figsp4, 5 and '7 may be employed. I

Fig. 4 illustrates one method of elevating the water so that the tube42', corresponding to the" tube 42 previously'described, may be located near the top of the cabinet with' a corresponding increase in the vertical dimension of sheets 49. As.

shown in Fig. 4 the drain tube 49 of pan l3 delivers condensate to a sump 6|, where the water A bellows .63 is positioned in the sump 6| and is operated by a rod 64 projecting upwardly therefrom and a rocker arm 65 pivoted to a support 66 which is here shown broken but may be as- 'sumed to be a part of the housing 18 of a thermostaticswitch such as is indicated at 32 in Fig. 1.

The rocker arm 65 is actuated by a rod 61, here shown :as being urged upwardly by a bellows 68 such as I2 or similar means acts to vary the inter-' nal pressure aflecting the expansion or contraction of the bellows 68. r

The parts 61- to I I, inclusive, are typical of eleand maybe assumed to be included in assembly 32 In some cases it may be desirable to and downwardly by a compression spring 69,. both .ments commonly used in thermostatic control ofFige l The bellows 68 expands during idle periods of the refrigerating system inresponse to a rise of temperature and the'corresponding rise of-pressure in the bellows 68, from the position to which: it has'been-compressed by the spring 69 during operation 01' the system. The

resulting movements of the rod 61, rocker 65 and rod 64 cause alternate expansion and com;- pre'ssing movements of the bellows 63, thus drawing waterinto' the bellows 63 past-the valve 14 and forcing it out of the bellows 63 past the valve 15 into the tube 11' leading to outlet tube 42'.

The sump 6! is designed tohave ample capacity to hold all of the water dripping from the evaporator l2 during. any idle period 'of the refrigerating system. The volume of water pumped at one stroke of rod'64 is in excess of the amount normally drained into thesump 6i during a cycle of operation of'bel1ows68, hence the sump 6i will not overflow.

It will be understood that the :bellows 66 may be employed to operate some other control means than the'usuaj switch, or maybe employed solely to actuate the water pump. 4

An example of a water pump which isthermally operated independently of anycontrol device is shown in Fig. 5, where the pan I3, corresponding to the pan l3 previously'described, is fitted with a drain port M in place of a drain tube suchas 40. Water runs through this port,past a valve 82 on a float 83 intochamber 84 in which the float 83 is located and through ports 85 into a bellows 86 sealed to the bottom of the chamber 84 unti l the water level lifts the float 83, which a thereafter'acts to cause the-valve 8-2 to function as a check valve even. though float 8-3 is submerged. The bellows 86 is located within the cabinet therein and ,is surrounded by gas-tight housing 81. It is stopped from excessive compression by a stem, 88 attached to the bottom of chamber 84 and adapted to contact the head of the bellows.

the same effect as before described in connection v 'withFig.4; I

Thefloat 83' is very little lighter-than water, hence the valve. 82 opens under the suction producedby the expansion of the bellows 86 after H so as to be aflected by. temperature changes These the chamber 84 has filled with water. The stem 3 of the valve 82 projects up'wardlyinto the pan I35 for convenience in priming the pump and in making sure that the valve is working freely.

The upwardly extending tube 11 and ll' of Figs. 4 and 5 respectively might lead to a condensate evaporator such as is seen in Fig. 6, instead of to the tube 42 or 42' as seen in Figs.

1, 2,3 and 4. The condensate evaporator shown in Fig. 6 is heated by the coil formed inthe liquid tube 26. and located within the evaporating pan 96 which is attached to the inside of the upper wall of the cabinet H7; The holes 91 in the pan 86' allow some of the warmer air within the cabinet to flow into the pan 96,"!1Pward through passage and out at the rearof the cabinet through the passage 36. Heat passes from the hot liquid refrigerant in the coil 35 to the water in the pan 06, causing the .water to evaporate and the water vapor to pass out through the passages 93 and 86. The passage 03 1s enclosed by the top sheet I00, the lower sheet IOI and the' wall I 02 of the cabinet II, so that the water vapor is not allowed to enterthe insulation of the cabinet.-

A further modification of the condensate pump is seen in Fig. 7 where the pan I3" is flt'ted with a bellowschamber 81' in which there is a bellows l6 soldered or otherwise sealed to the pan I3.

The port 6| in' the pan I3" is closed by the valve 32' which is opened by suction and reclosed by the very slight buoyancy of the float 33'. The

float is guided by the in-turned bead of the guide tube I03 which is open at the bottom and is also provided with ports, at the top where it is attached to the bottom of pan I3. The guide I03. also serves'as a guide for the spring I04 held under compression between the bottom wall of pan I3" and" the head 105 of the bellows 06' and bellows 86' may strike as a stop against which the movable head I06 of to limit its compressing movement. v I The bellows head I05 is urged downwardly by the spring I04 and upwardly by the pressure of liquid refrigerant I01 within the housing 01.

This liquid refrigerant, entering the cabinet v through the tube 26, corresponding to the tube 26 previously described, passes through housing ,01" and the tube 26 to the expansion device 21, corresponding to the device 21 previously described, hence the pressure on the outside of bellows 06 will be the high side pressure of the refrigerating system, which varies considerably between operating and idle periods. It is this variation ofpressure acting upon the bellows 36 and the spring I04 which draws the water I00 into the bellows 86 from the pan I3" through the port 0| and forces itout past the check valve0I' 'into the passage I00 which connects with the tube 42", corresponding to the tube 42 previously described.

The stops I06 on the bottom of bellows head I06 keep the bellows head from closing the refrigerant outlet into tube 20".

The condensate evaporator may be combined with the condenser as shown inthe Figs. 8, 9 and 10 if desire instead of one of the type shown in- Fig. 1. Be erring to Fig. 8 it will be seen that the f high pressure refrigerant vaporline 22' ieadsi to refrigerant.

the conduit II4 formed in the condenser III tween themetal sheets II2 and m. Similarly formed conduits I I3 lead from left to right of the condenser and are joined at their ends with conduits I I4 by means of headers I I3 formed by de- 'pressions in the sheet I I3. Walter dripping from trough I I1 formed im the top of the upper conduit H4 and flows from this trough into another trough II1 formed in the 'top' of the cchiduit III next below it, and so on until the water isevaporated by the heat given off by the condensing a v I The arrangement of these'parts is further shown inFlgs. 9 and 10, where it is seen that the outer sheet I I2 of the condenser ismarginally'r .rormed into supporting flanges I I2' which attach to the-rear of 'cabinet II" and'i s also formed into the projecting double rib II3 disposed vertically on either side ofthe condenser. Additional ribs. III are attached to the rearside of the condenser to assist in" the dissipation of heat to the atmosphere.

A method of forming the condenser conduits I I4 and III with the troughl I1 is shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13. R,eferring to Fig. 11 it will be seen that the sheet H2 is flrst made with the easily. formed ribs Iii, then attached tosheet II3 as by brazing orwelding, the conduit space fllled with a liquid'and the conduit III then reformed into the shape III with the trough II1.'

The die for this reforming operation-comprises the base plate I2I, a number of wedge-shaped press, a further movement of the press mechanism forces the wedges I23 and I24 against the liquid-filled conduits I'IB', forming them into conduits H4 and H6 as seen in Fig. 13.

' Another method of forming a similarcondenser with troughs for the evaporation of condensate is illustrated in Figs. l4, l5 and 16. The condenser is in this case formed by the sheets I26 and I21 with sinuous channels I28 pressed into sheet I21 and the two sheets welded or otherwise secured together in a gas-tight manner. The tube 22", corresponding to the tubes 22 and 22' previously described, leads into the upper horizontal leg of passage I28 and the condensate drip tube 42b, corresponding to the tube 42 previously described, feeds water to the condenser'troughs as in Figs. 8 and 9. but injthis case the troughs I29 and I30 differ from the troughs H1 in being formed by separate pieces of metal which are soldered,

' brazed, or welded to the sheet I26.

Referring to Fig. 16.it will be seen that water condenser and condensate evaporator located below the refrigerator and in the path of air circu-' lated by a fan. The condenser I "is formed by the sheets I34 and I35 which are attached together to enclose the circuitous passage I33. As

seen in Figs. 18 and 19, the sheets I34 and I36 are vertical walls I36 .and I31, thus forming a series -'oftroughs for water I44 as seen in Fig, 17.- The water I44 is, of courseifro'stwhich has been .melted oil! of the refrigerant evaporator, such as the evaporator I2 in Fig. 1, and has been collected in a pan such as. the pan I3 in Fig. 1 and delivered to.'the condenser I33 by the tube 420, corresponding to the tube 42 and corresponding tubes in previous views. This water over-- flows from one trough to the next lower one and the proportions-are such that the water will be entirely evaporated without overflowing the lowermost trough. I

The liquid tube 23s,.0orresponding to the tube 23 previously described, is shown in Fig. 1'! with a liquid refrigerant receiver I43 included therein,- although this is not an essential-feature. Ablast of air is forced overv the top of the condenser I33 and over the flns'i 33 on the bottom of the condenserby the fan I43 whichis driven by the motor its I4 I. This motor-maybe the same one which operates the usual compressor or entirely separate therefrom. Air drawn below the bailie wall I42 is returned by the fan to cool the condenser and to carry away water vapor evaporatedfrom the upper side of the condenser.

It willbe noted that the several troughs formed on the upper side of, the sheet I34 are not connected together by any channels or specificoverflow passages. The water merely overflows the corrugation at the top of. onevof the parallel legs of passage I38 into the next trough; being restrained from overflowing at the sides of the condenser by the upturned wall I 86.

Formal changes may be. made in the specific embodiments of the invention described without departing from the spirit and substance of the broad invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What I claim is:

' .1. In a refrigerating mechanism, in combinacondenser and the adjacent insulated wall of said cabinet.

2. ha refrigerating mechanism,in combination, arefrlgerator cabinet having heat insulated walls, a refrigerating system for cooling the interior of the cabinet and including a condenser arranged exterlorly of said insulating walls and in spaced relation with respect thereto, and

means for exposing water to the atmosphere between said condenser and the adjacent wall of I said cabinet whereby to absorb heat by evaporation and thus reduce the heat transfer from said condenser to saidwall of said cabinet.

3. In combination, 'a refrigerator cabinet havinga chamber to be cooled, a refrigerating system associated with said cabinet for'the purpose of" cooling the same and includingan evaporator positioned within said chambefi and a condenser and compressor positioned exteriorly thereof, a

plurality of open troughs thermally'associated with said condenser and arranged to deliver water from one-to the other thereof, means for collecting water dripping from said evaporator, and means for conducting said water to an upper one of said troughs.

4. In a refrigerating mechanism, in combination, a refrigerating system, a cabinet to be cooled by said ,system andhaving' insulated walls,'a.

condenser for-said system supported adJacent to an outer face of one of said insulated walls, an extended surface of sinuous trough-like formation exposedlto air outside of said cabinet and to heat from said condenser, means for collecting tem including an evaporator positioned withinwater of condensation within said cabinet, and means for delivering said water to said extended surface. 5 a g 5. In a refrigerating -mechanism, in c'ombina- "tion, a refrigerator cabinet including a chamber having heat insulated walls, a door for said chambe; normally sealing it against the circulation of the surrounding room air, a refrigerating syssaid chamber, a condenser. a compressor-and means for driving said compressor arranged exteriorly of said chamber, a moisture absorbing element positioned exteriorly of said cabinet and.

M. 6. In combination, a refrigerator cabinet having a chamber to be. cooled provided with heat insulated walls, a moisture absorbent element of planular formation supported from the walls of said cabinet on the exterior thereof and in spaced relation with respect to said walls, a refrigerant evaporator within said chamber, means for col-'- lecting moisture condensed upon said evaporator,

, sorbent material positioned in heat transfer relation with respect-to 'the'high side of said system,

evaporator, and means for conducting said water to said absorbent material for the purpose of causing said water to be evaporated therefrom. v 8. In a refrigeratingmechanism, in combination, a refrigerator cabinet having a heat insulated chamber,- an evaporator within said chamber, means for evaporating water positioned exteriorly of said chamber, means for collecting,

moisture from the walls of said evaporator at a point below the upper edge of said evaporating means, and means for! elevating said water and delivering it to saidi water evaporating means.

9. In a refrigerating mechanism, in combination, .a refrigerator cabinet having a chamber provided with heat insulated walls, a refrigerating system including an evaporator positioned within said chamber, water evaporating means posi-- tioned exteriorly of said chamber, means for collecting water from said evaporator within said cabinet, and means operable as a result of variations in the operating conditionsof said system for elevating said collected water and delivering it to said water evaporating means.

10. .Ina refrigerating mechanism, in combination, a refrigerator cabinet having a chamber provided with heat insulated walls, a refrigerating system including an evaporator positioned within said chamber, water evaporating means positioned exteriorly of said chamber, means for collecting water from said evaporator within said cabinet,

and means operable by variations in temperature within said chamber for elevating said collected .means for coliectingwater condensed upon said water and delivering it to said water evaporating means.

11. In a refrigerating mechanism, in combinafor elevating said collected water and delivering it to said water evaporating means. 12. In a refrigerating mechanism, in combinaprovided with heat insulated walls, a refrigerating system including an evaporator positioned within said chamber, a condenser and compressor, means for cfausingc'yclio operation of said refrig crating system, means for collecting condensed moisture in said chamber, water evaporating means exteriorly of said chamber, and means actuated by cyclic operation of said system for delivering said condensed moisture to said water evaporating means.

13.- In a-refrigerating mechanism, in combination, a refrigerator-cabinet havinga chamber to tion, a cabinet having achamber to be cooled I generally horizontal be cooled, a,refrigerating-systemincluding an evaporator in said chamber and a generally planar condenser exteriorly of said chamber, said condenser being arranged with the plane thereof in position andformed to provide-means on its upper surface for supporting an open body of water, and means for delivering waterfrom said chamber to said means on said condenser.-

1'4.'The method of operating a refrigerating mechanism including a cabinet having heat in sulated walls and a refrigerating system for cool- 4 ing said cabinet-including a vertically extending.

densed upon said evaporator and delivering it to said condenser for the purpose of re-evaporating said water and dissipating it to the atmosphere.

16. In combination, a refrigerating wstem in--v eluding a condenser, an evaporator and a control for said system so constructed and arranged as to cause the temperature of said'evaporator to rise aboveand to fall below the temperature required to freeze ice during each cycle of operation of said system, means for collecting water condensing on said evaporator, andmeans for delivering said collected water into material heat con- I ducting relationship with respect to said condenser whereby to effect re-evaporation of said water and dissipation thereof in the surrounding air.

17. In a refrigerating system, in combination,

an evaporator, a condenser, a plurality-of open troughs thermally associated with said condenser and arranged to deliver'water from one to the other thereof, means for collecting water, dripping from said evaporator, and means for conducting said water to anupper one of said troughs.

18. In a refrigerating mechanism, in combination, a refrigerator cabinet having a chamber provided with heat insulated walls, a refrigerating system including a condenser means positioned exteriorly of said "chamber and a'pair of evaporators positioned within said chamber, one of 'said evaporators being insulated against the transfer of heat to it from the .air within said chamber and the other of said evaporators having a relatively low thermal storage capacity and- -exposed to-the air within said chamber for the purpose of cooling the same, thermally responsive control means for said system so constructed and arranged as to cause said uninsulated evaporator to rise above the temperature'required to melt ice during. one portion 'and to drop below the temperature required to freeze water during another portion of each cycle of operation of said system,

means for collecting moisture dripping from the second mentioned evaporator, meansfor conducting said collected moisture to a point exteriorly of said chamber, and means for dissipating said water over a substantial areaexteriorly of and adjacent to said chamber whereby said water is evaporated in the air surrounding said cabinet. I

' I GLENN MUFFLY. 

